Standard Dental Implants vs. Mini Dental Implants

Knowing what type of dental implant is right for you can be difficult if you are unaware of the differences between regular dental implants and mini dental implants. At Ilya V. Freyman, DMD, PA, informing patients about different treatment types will help them to make the best decision possible regarding their oral and dental health. Therefore, Dr. Freyman offers some information on the differences between dental implants:

Regular dental implants are titanium inserts which are implanted into the jawbone by surgery in order to provide a stable base for the artificial dentures or crowns. The regular dental implants are very useful for people who have lost their teeth or have had their teeth extracted due to various reasons. They are an excellent alternative to ordinary dentures.

Dentures cannot be used on every patient. They usually need a soft gum and a rigid jawbone to fit properly, which is very hard to find in most cases of missing teeth. Shortly after a tooth extraction, if a denture is not used immediately, the gums tend to harden and the jawbone begins to deform, thus making the area unsuitable for use of dentures. However with the help of a regular dental implant, the dentist drills in titanium implants into the jawbone of the patient and then fixes the denture on top of it when the area is healed.

Regular dental implants are anchored with a titanium screw; they look quite similar to that of normal teeth. Mini dental implants are secured directly into your jaw bone, making them look and act more like natural teeth than regular dental implants. Mini dental implants are much less involved than regular implants, making treatments quicker and easier.

Traditional dental implants are most often used to replace a single tooth or for replacing a bridge or full dentures. They are also often used to hold removable dentures in place. On the other hand, mini dental implants have been found to be much more effective in holding a single replacement tooth or a partial bridge in place. Incisions are not required and there are no stitches to be removed at a later stage. They can be easily removed for cleaning and won't shift while eating or talking.

Regular dental implants require very involved procedures which can be time consuming and quite costly. Because mini dental implants are quicker and easier to install, treatment times are faster and results are immediate. No downtime is required with mini dental implants; patients can start using their new teeth immediately.

To find out more about these two dental implant procedures, contact Ilya V. Freyman, DMD, PA today!